Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts moveable between closed and open positions; an operating mechanism, for moving the separable contacts between the closed and open positions, having a first latched position and a second unlatched position corresponding to the open position of the separable contacts, and including a pair of cradles pivotally supported about a pivot axis within the housing to pivot in a first pivotal direction to the first position of the operating mechanism and a second pivotal direction to the second position of the operating mechanism; a handle mechanism for moving the cradles in the first pivotal direction; a latch mechanism for latching the operating mechanism in the first position thereof and for releasing the operating mechanism to the second position thereof, including a latch plate pivotally supported within the housing having two opposing elongated openings, a roller pin cross member generally parallel to the cradle pivot axis supported by the latch plate at eac

Abstract: A drive for an electric high voltage circuit-breaker has a revolving crank that is driven by an energy storage mechanism, such as a spring, between an upper dead center and a bottom dead center and a backstop that prevents the crank from moving backwards against the driving direction after it moves beyond the bottom dead center. The backstop is provided with a friction clutch with a first ring that is firmly coupled to the crank and the driving shaft and that can rotate in relation to a second return stop ring when a releasing force is exceeded.

Abstract: A retraction mechanism is disclosed for retracting and engaging the pumping mechanism assembly of an infusion pump with an infusate flow path. The retraction mechanism provides a linkage which converts rotary motion of a handle about an axis to linear motion along a line parallel to the axis. The linkage is connected to the pumping mechanism assembly to cause the pumping mechanism assembly to retract from or engage with the flow path via a disposable cassette. The retraction mechanism is biassed toward the engaged position to prevent free flow of infusates on the flow path. The retraction mechanism is operable in two steps: first, the handle is pulled out against the biassing force; second, the handle is rotated until it locks into the retracted position. The mechanism includes a toggle linkage which aids in locking the mechanism in the retracted position and in biassing the mechanism to the engaged position when the handle is moved out of the locked retraction position.

Abstract: A high strength operating cradle assembly for an industrial rated circuit breaker operating mechanism wherein the rotational action of the cradle about its pivot is controlled by interconnected operating mechanism links is disclosed. Axial positioning of the cradle on its pivot is maintained by the capture of a positioning track on the cradle pivot within a pair of guide rails on a guide pin extension on the cradle.

Abstract: A combined bell alarm and lock-out accessory is connected with the electronic trip unit that controls a high ampere rated circuit breaker. The accessory interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to activate the bell alarm upon circuit interruption and to prevent the closing of the circuit breaker contacts until the accessory is manually reset. The circuit breaker lock-out mechanism interfaces between the circuit breaker operating mechanism and the accessory to insure that the contacts remain open until the accessory is completely reset.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is accomplished by operation of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A reset system interfaces with the charging system to reset the charging system after the operating springs have been discharged.

Abstract: An actuator for use in operating switches such as air break switches of the type used on overhead power systems. The actuator is based on an over-center mechanism. Movement of an operating arm indirectly drives a drive arm via the over-center mechanism with the energy of a resilient member being used to regulate the opening of a switch connected to the drive.

Abstract: A circuit breaker including a sliding connection between a trip unit and associated contact arm is disclosed herein. The sliding connection facilitates assembly of the circuit breaker and also permits a reduction of size for a circuit breaker of a given rating. An embodiment of the sliding connection includes a blade and jaw assembly connected between the trip unit and contact arm. Another embodiment of the sliding connection includes a blade or jaw assembly slidably connected directly to the contact arm.

Abstract: Switchgear with a closing spring release and an opening release accessible from a front face is further provided with top mounted closing and opening spring releases. In order to avoid interference with internal parts of the switchgear and to follow the movement of the trip mechanisms to which they are connected, these top mounted spring releases are flexible elongated members preferably in the form of flat stainless spring steel straps. The flat strap of the top mounted opening spring release has a slot engaging the opening trip lever and is sized so as not to engage the trip lever when the front accessible spring release is otherwise actuated. As the horizontal pivot axis of the closing spring trip lever moves transversely, the flat strap of the top mounted closing spring release is oriented to bend in the same direction while the lower end section is twisted 90.degree. to receive a coupling pin on the trip lever.

Abstract: A spring drive for an electrical switching apparatus has a switch-on shaft to which a switch-on spring is coupled eccentrically and on which a large wheel (16) is seated in a rotationally fixed manner. A small wheel (20), which is driven in order to stress the switch-on spring, interacts with the large wheel (16). A tooth system (52) on the large wheel (16) has a gap (54) for decoupling the wheel pair (18) formed by large wheel (16) and small wheel (20) when the switch-on spring is stressed. In order to connect the switching apparatus, the large wheel (16) is driven in a rotation direction (D), as a result of which the tooth system (52) engages with the small wheel (20) again. In order to prevent blocking when the teeth engage in one another, the teeth (60) on the small wheel (20) are constructed in such a manner that the edges (56, 58) abut against one another radially on an outer side at a common edge (62).

Abstract: A vacuum switch bulb type change over switch of the invention is used for an on-load tap changer for changing over from a tap to a tap in an on-load state. The change over switch is formed of a plurality of single phase switch cassettes, and a common controller for the switch cassettes. Each cassette includes a plurality of vacuum switch bulbs and a plurality of coupling devices for the vacuum switch bulbs. The common controller includes a plurality of holding devices for holding the vacuum switch bulbs in an opened or a closed state to thereby hold the taps in predetermined states. The single phase switch cassettes are independently mounted on and coupled with the common controller through the holding device.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker including a frame, a spring shaft mounted on the frame and rotatable around a central axis thereof, a spring case having a notch in an outer periphery thereof and rotatable around the central axis, a rotating spring provided in the spring case and having a first end secured to the spring shaft and a second end secured to the spring case, a cam secured to the spring shaft and rotatable along with the spring shaft, and a catch rotatably mounted on the spring case. The catch is at an original position at the notch inside the outer periphery of the spring case by a spring. The operating mechanism further includes a charging device for rotating the spring case to charge the rotating spring and a control lever rotatably mounted on the frame and having an end portion engaged with the cam, the catch and the outer periphery of the spring case for performing closing and opening control of the charging device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful closing springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A logic plate interacts with a logic lever, an interlock link and a closing link to prevent the circuit breaker closing button from operating until and unless the closing springs have become fully-charged.

Abstract: The energy storage device of a toggle mechanism comprises a telescopic link equipped with a damping stop designed to absorb the excess energy of a main closing spring after the closing dead point of the toggle has been passed, and before the end of travel of the drive lever. This results in a better mechanical endurance of the mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made automatically by means of an electric motor. The circuit breaker operating handle connects with the operating springs through a motor operator interface unit to allow manual charging of the operating springs upon stalling of the electric motor.

Abstract: A drive device includes a cam disk (18), which, for switching on the power switch, can be driven by means of an energy store, impulsively, in a direction of rotation (D). A first section (48) of the curve path (20) of the cam disk (18), which, as the azimuth increases counter to the direction of rotation (D), exhibits an increasing radius, is adjoined by an intermediate section (50) of steadily decreasing radius. After this intermediate section (50) there follows a second section (52), running roughly in the radial direction. As a result of the interaction of the first section (48) with the roller (22'), the triangular lever (76), together with the control shaft (26), moves counter to the direction of rotation (D) out of the switch-off setting into the switch-on setting and by a measure of one overtravel (U) beyond this.

Abstract: A remote closing operator is positioned within a circuit breaker enclosure to allow remote operation of the circuit breaker operating mechanism to open and close the circuit breaker contacts. A pair of solenoids are employed to control the state of the contact closing springs. The first solenoid is energized to initially release the contact closing springs and the second solenoid is energized to interrupt the flow of current to the first solenoid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs. The latches are interlocked with the operating springs drive shaft to prevent the discharge of the operating springs when the contacts are in the closed condition.

Abstract: The contact depression effected between the fixed and moveable contacts in a high ampere-rated circuit breaker is fixed after assembly of the current carrying components by the provision of a multi-dimensional contact carrier support bearing. The selection of the support bearing dimension fixes the height of the movable contact arm and the attached movable contact relative to the subjacent fixed contact. Control of the contact depression improves circuit interruption efficiency and extends the operating life of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: An auxiliary trip device for a circuit breaker which includes an electromechanical actuating device and an energy storage system. The electromechanical actuating device includes a coil housed in a sheath which has a central bore containing a plunger fixed to a push-rod, and a fixed core spaced apart from the plunger, via a first spring. The push-rod is slidable within the bore to actuate a latch device of the energy storage system, which in turn releases a blade which is cooperable with a trip bar of the circuit breaker on which the auxiliary trip device is placed. The blade is biased by a second spring which releases and stores energy greater than released and stored energy of the first spring.

Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.

Abstract: A remote controlled circuit breaker including a mechanism linked to a handle by a drive lever equipped with a roller cooperating with a recharging cam of an energy storage system including a spring. A bearing surface is arranged to block the roller in the charged position, without requiring the presence of a special latching stage, since the line of action of the reaction R of the roller passes via the transmission shaft of the cam. A step-by-step motor of the vibrating type drives the transmission shaft in rotation, and enables almost instantaneous stopping of the cam when the roller is in contact with the bearing surface.

Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.

Abstract: A device for separating a pair of electric contacts which tend to weld and consist of a stationary contact 11 and a contact 12 which is movable away from the stationary contact, particularly in a circuit breaker is provided. The device includes a tripping lever 17, which is biased in a contact-separating direction and serves to actuate the movable contact 12, and means 19 for holding the tripping lever 17 in its stand-by position. The movement of the tripping lever 17 from its stand-by position involves a displacement of a lever fulcrum to a first position where a strong separating force is exerted on the movable contact 12 and then to a second position where a weaker separating force is exerted on the movable contact 12.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of an operating handle and a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two-stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs. The operating springs cannot become discharged until and unless the operating handle is in a fully retracted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts are restrained by the interaction of a cradle operator and a two stage latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a primary and a secondary latch to insure against nuisance tripping.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylcarbonate as the extraction solvent, and wherein following said dimethylcarbonate extraction, said coal is extracted with water at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to 275.degree. C., and wherein following said water extraction, said coal is soxhlet extracted in sulfolane at a temperature of about 25.degree. to about 350.degree.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of an externally accessible handle operator assembly. A ratchet and pawl assembly allows the application of a large spring charging force by virtue of a short displacement of the handle operator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switching device for a tap changer comprising an input lever and an output lever rotatably attached to a shaft. The output lever is provided for making contact with a selected one of a first tap and a second tap. The output lever has a cammed surface at its base for securing a position of the output lever to make contact with the first tap and for preventing the output lever from rotating about the shaft. The device also includes a spring for pulling the output lever toward the input lever, and a clutch, rotatably attached to the shaft, which has a slot. A latching apparatus engages the clutch. The device further includes a pin which is fixedly attached to the input lever and disposed within the slot. The pin drives the clutch to engage the latching apparatus. In operation, after the input lever has been pulled away from the output lever by a predetermined angle, the pin drives the clutch to engage the latching apparatus, thereby freeing the cammed surface from the latching apparatus.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a manually operated load break switch having an over center spring drive moved by an operating handle to open and close the switch. The operating mechanism includes a shaft rotatable by the operating handle, a follower rotatably mounted on the shaft, an elongated forked plate pivotally mounted intermediate its length to the follower at a location radially outwardly of the shaft, an operating lever for the switch pivotally mounted on the shaft and movable by engagement with the follower and a driver affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith and positioned to engage and rotate the follower and the forked plate. An over center spring drive is pivotally connected to the forked plate at a location radially outwardly of the pivotal mounting of the forked plate to the follower.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The operating springs controlling the CLOSED state of the circuit breaker contacts are contained within a module unit which can be installed both in the field as well as in the factory. A separate module provides the spring bias forces required for each of the circuit breaker ampere ratings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The closing springs controlling the CLOSED state and the opening springs controlling the OPENED state of the circuit breaker contacts are interlocked to prevent operation of both springs at the same time. The closing lever and the opening lever interact in such a manner that only one of the levers can release the associated closing or opening springs.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: An actuator for the rapid connection and disconnection of a switch (10) has a primary shaft (12) , which can be rotated to and fro between a first end setting (18) and a second end setting (18') and possesses a tension lever (16). Seated in a rotationally secure manner on a delivery shaft (14) parallel to the primary shaft (12) is the drive shaft (22), which can be rotated, under the force of the spring-loading arrangement (26), from the disconnect setting (24) into the connect setting (24') and back. The spring-loading arrangement (26) includes a helical spring (28), which acts as a pre-tensioned compression spring and is supported by its spring ends (36, 36') on a respective butt strap (32, 34), which butt straps in turn interact, via driving stops (52, 54, 56, 58), with the tension lever (16) and the drive lever (22).

Abstract: An actuating mechanism of a three-position switch, the switch comprising a main shaft supporting or actuating contacts and able to be moved selectively to three stable positions and a center crank which is pivotally mounted and can be actuated so as to take the three positions of the main shaft, the mechanism in addition having a mechanical system which produces a kinetic ratio between the angular movement of the center crank and that of the main shaft which increases when the center crank moves from the open position to the closed position, which results in the force transmitted to the electrical contacts increasing continuously as movement takes place from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An operating mechanism is disclosed which is capable of meeting electrical code requirements in the world market. The operating springs controlling the OPEN and CLOSED states of the circuit breaker contacts are charged both before and after the contacts are in their CLOSED conditions. The mechanism is both latched and unlatched by operation of a rotating cradle operator.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for controlling the incremental release and subsequent resetting of a charging mechanism to slowly close an electrical contact operating mechanism of a circuit breaker. The slow close mechanism includes a frame defined by a pair of spaced, generally parallel sideplates connected together and terminating with support legs. The support legs have guide slots to receive a shaft of the charging mechanism. A support block rotatably connects between the sideplates and supports the shaft along the length of the guide slots as the support block rotates. An elongated arm slidingly couples to one of the support legs and has a flange at one end for manual operation. The opposite arm end rotatably couples to a crank arm extending through the one support leg to connect with the support block so that pulling the flange slides the arm and rotates the crank arm and the support block to control the travel of the shaft of the charging mechanism down the guide slots.

Abstract: A remote tripping mechanism for use with a spring loaded safety switch. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism is made up of two cams with a compression type trip spring anchored between them. The two cams are held in the "normal position" (the spring compressed) by a latch. In this position, the switch operates in the same manner as a conventional safety switch. A trip lever connected to a solenoid is positioned such that it is unobtrusive when the switch is turned ON and OFF. When the switch is in the ON position and power is applied to the solenoid, the trip lever unlatches the latch and the two cams separate. The first cam engages and lifts the bail, turning the switch OFF. The cams are reset by turning the handle to the OFF position. This compresses the trip spring and resets the latch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tensioning the accumulator spring of a high-voltage or medium-voltage power circuit breaker drive, in which a drilling machine or a power tool, such as a screwdriver, which is powered by a rechargeable battery, is used.

Abstract: A linear actuator powered closing mechanism for a trip-free operating mechanism of a high current, low voltage, load break switch of the type having an operating shaft and a follower affixed to the operating shaft for rotation therewith. A lever is mounted on the operating shaft for rotation therewith. A spring connects the follower and the operating lever to bias them toward each other when the spring is energized. The closing assembly includes a linear actuator having an extendible and retractable tube. A drive rod is connected to the operating shaft to rotate the operating shaft in a spring energizing direction upon longitudinal movement of the drive rod in one direction. A mechanism connecting the actuator tube and the drive rod so that movement of the actuator tube in one direction will move the drive rod in its spring energizing direction while movement of the actuator tube in the opposite direction will not result in opposite movement of the drive rod.

Abstract: A switch is configured that: in the closed-circuit state, at least part of its movable contact arm enters into a oblong generally hexahedral space defined by its elongated stationary conductor in its closed circuit position. Both contacting and breaking of the moving contact and the fixed contact occur in the space. Overall electromagnetic forces generated by the current flowing through the stationary conductor, movable contact arm and the arc induced at the time of breaking effectively act to extend the arc toward a terminal section of the stationary conductor and to increase the arc resistance at the time just after the breaking of both the contacts.

Abstract: The contact bridge of a molded case circuit breaker is rotatably mounted in a bar by two springs arranged symmetrically from the rotation axis. Each spring is, on the one hand, anchored to the contact bridge, and, on the other hand, anchored to a rod housed in a notch of the bar. The same springs provide contact pressure and slowing-down of opening of the contact bridge at the end of repulsion travel by electrodynamic effect. The contact bridge bears on its edge cam surfaces which, at the end of opening travel, engage the anchoring rods to move them in the notches in the elongation direction of the tension springs. The energy of the contact bridge is thus taken up and stored in the springs causing slowing-down of the contact bridge. The profile of the cams can be chosen to enable reclosing of the contact bridge, this reclosing naturally being delayed by the slowing-down effect at the end of travel. The cam profile can also ensure latching of the contact bridge in the open position.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker of the type containing an electronic trip unit to control an operating mechanism for automatically turning the circuit breaker contacts between ON and OFF conditions under overload conditions and a handle operator for same under quiescent conditions is designed for operation with a motor operator unit. The operating mechanism unit is structured to resist the high impact forces translated to the mechanism by the motor operator unit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed having a toggle mechanism in which a desired overlap between the cam link and the sear pin is conveniently, and automatically, achieved. The toggle mechanism also exhibits a relatively small eccentricity, resulting in a circuit breaker which is significantly more sensitive to overcurrents than previous such circuit breakers.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device, convertible from break-after-make operation to break-during-make operation for response to break commands received during circuit breaker setting operation is provided having a driving lever rotated by the energy of an energizing spring released by an energization suppressing mechanism. A closing shaft is further provided for closing and opening a movable contact via a coupling device coupled to the driving lever. The coupling device being effective for transmitting energy from the driving lever to the closing shaft to close the moveable contact and to dampen the energy applied from the driving lever to the closing shaft when a trip-free command is asserted by a trip lever in order to keep the movable contact in an open position.

Abstract: A spring-powered operator controls a high power circuit breaker by discharging an energy storing spring to rapidly close the circuit breaker against the bias of its internal opening springs, and latches to keep the circuit breaker closed until the receipt of a trip command which unlatches the operator and allows the circuit breaker to open. In response to discharging the energy storing spring, the operator immediately starts charging again in order to prepare for another closing of the circuit breaker. The operator uses a relatively low-power motor to drive a ratchet wheel that indirectly compresses the energy storing spring through a crank mechanism and, upon a release of the spring, uses a cam driven by the spring to act directly on a lever coupled to the breaker. The operator has a low number of parts and is able to close a circuit breaker particularly rapidly and reliably.

Abstract: A trip-free operating mechanism for a load break switch of the type having a fixed contact engageable by a movable contact between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The operating mechanism includes an operating lever connected to the movable contact and rotatable about a shaft to move the contact between its open and closed positions. A follower rotates with the shaft into and out of contact with the operating lever. A closing spring biases the operating lever and the follower towards each other. An opening spring drive connects to the follower to drive the follower to its switch contact open position. A first latch holds the operating lever and follower apart against the force of the closing spring when the operating lever is in its switch contact closed position.

Abstract: A spring charging mechanism for electrical circuit breakers and transfer switches of the type in which a spring is charged by rotation of a shaft. The charging mechanism has a charging shaft with two independently operating ratchet mechanisms coupled thereto. One ratchet mechanism may be driven by hand while the other may be separately motor-driven or held stationary by a bracket. The ratchet mechanism which is not in operation acts as a locking device which prevents rotation of the charging shaft in the discharge direction while allowing rotation in the charging direction. The charging mechanism is adaptable for either hand or motor-driven operation or both. It also features an inexpensive and easily-installed flexible, resilient, insulating sleeve which insulates the charging mechanism from the operator, and a key arrangement for coupling a handle to a ratchet mechanism which distributes stress within the handle and protects the handle fastening screws from destructive shear stresses.